Treatable conditions with Kinesiology
What is it?
Shoulder impingement, or subacromial impingement syndrome, occurs when the tendons or bursa in the shoulder become pinched between bones during shoulder movement. This compression is often due to repetitive overhead activities, poor posture, or muscle imbalances. Symptoms include pain when lifting the arm, reaching overhead, or sleeping on the affected shoulder. Left untreated, it can lead to tendonitis or bursitis, causing more severe pain and limited shoulder function.
Why is it important to treat?
Early intervention is crucial, as untreated shoulder impingement can lead to chronic pain and more severe conditions like rotator cuff tears or tendinopathy. Over time, the limited shoulder range may lead to compensatory patterns that place strain on the neck, upper back, or opposite shoulder, affecting overall posture and daily tasks.
Muscles Affected:
The rotator cuff muscles, including the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis, are directly involved. Secondary muscles, such as the deltoid, trapezius, and pectorals, may also be affected due to compensatory movement.
Kinesiology Interventions:
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• Manual Therapy: Techniques like joint mobilization and soft tissue manipulation reduce tension around the joint, enhance blood flow, and release adhesions, leading to improved shoulder mechanics and reduced pain.
• Targeted Strengthening: Strengthening the rotator cuff and scapular stabilizers (e.g., serratus anterior) promotes better control and stability, reducing strain on the shoulder joint. Specific exercises, such as external rotations and scapular retractions, are often included to ensure balanced muscle development.
• Postural Re-education: Posture exercises help align the shoulder and neck properly, reducing impingement risk. These include exercises like chin tucks and wall angels, designed to keep the shoulder in a healthy position. Therapists may also guide patients on ergonomic adjustments for workstations and sleeping positions to prevent reoccurrence.
What is it?
Lower back pain is a common musculoskeletal condition that can arise from muscle strains, poor posture, prolonged sitting, or degenerative disc diseases such as herniation. It’s often experienced as a dull ache, sharp pain, or stiffness in the lower back, affecting activities like bending, lifting, and prolonged sitting or standing.
Why is it important to treat?
Without proper treatment, lower back pain can become chronic, limiting mobility and reducing quality of life. Compensatory patterns from lower back pain can lead to secondary issues in the hips, knees, or upper back, further complicating the condition. Chronic pain also affects mental health, with prolonged issues potentially leading to stress or depression.
Muscles Affected:
Key muscles include the erector spinae, quadratus lumborum, multifidus, and gluteus maximus. Secondary muscle involvement may include the hip flexors (iliopsoas) and hamstrings due to their relationship with pelvic positioning.
Kinesiology Interventions:
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• Core Stabilization Exercises: A strong core can help reduce the load on the lower back. Exercises such as planks, dead bugs, and bird dogs strengthen the deep core muscles like the transverse abdominis and multifidus, which are essential for spinal stability.
• Manual Therapy: Techniques like spinal mobilization and myofascial release reduce muscle tension, alleviate trigger points, and enhance blood flow. This helps restore flexibility and relieves discomfort, making movement less painful.
• Postural Correction: Correcting posture through exercises like seated posture drills and hip flexor stretching can relieve pressure on the spine. Kinesiologists may provide ergonomic guidance, especially for desk workers, to ensure proper alignment and reduce the risk of recurring pain.
Treatable conditions with Kinesiology
What is it?
A stroke occurs when blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, leading to cell death and loss of function in the affected areas. This can result in weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, as well as issues with coordination, balance, speech, and cognitive functions. Stroke rehabilitation focuses on restoring as much function as possible, improving quality of life, and promoting independence.
Why is it important to treat?
Early and consistent rehabilitation maximizes the potential for recovery. Without intervention, stroke survivors may experience significant long-term disabilities, such as reduced mobility, muscle atrophy, and increased fall risk. Timely rehabilitation also helps prevent secondary complications, including joint stiffness, contractures, and further muscle weakness.
Muscles Affected:
Stroke can impact any muscle group depending on the area of the brain affected. Commonly affected muscles include the deltoid, biceps brachii, quadriceps, and gastrocnemius. Patients may experience spasticity in these muscles, making movement challenging and painful.
Kinesiology Interventions:
• Task-Specific Training: Repetitive practice of daily tasks, such as reaching, grasping, and walking, helps to rewire neural pathways and improve motor skills. By breaking down tasks into manageable steps, stroke survivors can rebuild strength and coordination.
• Balance and Gait Training: Exercises that improve balance, like standing on one leg or step-ups, are essential for fall prevention. Gait training drills, such as weight-shifting and assisted walking, restore walking ability and promote symmetry in movement patterns.
• Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES): FES is a technology that uses electrical impulses to stimulate weakened muscles, promoting movement and muscle activation. It’s particularly helpful for improving function in the arms or legs, especially when paired with guided exercises.
What is it?
Peripheral neuropathy refers to damage to the peripheral nerves, leading to symptoms like numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness, particularly in the hands and feet. It may be caused by diabetes, traumatic injuries, chemotherapy, or infections, resulting in decreased sensory and motor function.
Why is it important to treat?
Without intervention, peripheral neuropathy can progress, leading to chronic pain, muscle weakness, and balance issues. It increases the risk of falls and injuries due to impaired proprioception and sensory loss. Effective management can improve quality of life by enhancing nerve function, reducing pain, and promoting mobility.
Muscles Affected:
The muscles in the hands, feet, and lower legs are typically affected, with common areas including the tibialis anterior (for foot drop) and intrinsic hand muscles.
Kinesiology Interventions:
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• Strengthening and Conditioning: Targeted exercises, such as toe raises, grip strengthening, and foot stabilization drills, help to restore strength and coordination in weakened muscles.
• Balance and Proprioception Training: Exercises like single-leg stands, balance boards, and proprioceptive drills enhance stability, which is especially important for patients with sensory loss in the feet to reduce fall risk.
• Manual Therapy and Nerve Gliding: Gentle techniques to mobilize nerves, reduce symptoms like tingling and numbness, and improve nerve function. Nerve gliding exercises are often paired with manual therapy to release surrounding tissues and support nerve health.
Treatable conditions with Kinesiology
What is it?
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a condition where the kneecap (patella) does not track properly within its groove, causing pain around or behind the patella. It’s common in athletes, particularly runners and cyclists, and may be due to muscle imbalances, improper alignment, or overuse.
Why is it important to treat?
If left untreated, PFPS can lead to cartilage wear under the patella and chronic knee pain. This condition often limits physical activity, making it challenging to walk, run, or squat. Chronic cases may result in compensatory pain in other areas, such as the hips or lower back.
Muscles Affected:
The quadriceps, particularly the vastus medialis obliquus (VMO), are directly involved. Other muscles like the hip stabilizers (gluteus medius) and iliotibial (IT) band may also be impacted.
Kinesiology Interventions:
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• Strengthening Exercises: Targeted strengthening of the quadriceps, especially the VMO, along with hip muscles like the gluteus medius, improves knee alignment and stability. Exercises may include mini squats, leg lifts, and clamshells.
• Patellar Tracking Techniques: Exercises that promote proper patella alignment, such as step-downs or resisted knee extensions, can help relieve pain and improve function. Taping or bracing may also be used to support proper tracking during activity.
• Stretching and Flexibility Work: Focuses on tight structures such as the IT band, hamstrings, and calves. Foam rolling and stretching routines for these muscles can reduce pressure on the knee and improve flexibility.
What is it?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. This condition often results in pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand and fingers, particularly affecting people who perform repetitive wrist or hand movements.
Why is it important to treat?
If untreated, carpal tunnel can worsen over time, leading to severe pain and limited function in the hand. This can impact daily activities like typing, gripping, and lifting, reducing quality of life and work performance.
Muscles Affected:
Thenar muscles in the thumb, wrist flexors, and forearm muscles that support grip strength and wrist stability.
Kinesiology Interventions:
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• Nerve Mobilization: Gentle mobilization exercises like nerve gliding can relieve nerve compression and alleviate symptoms. This technique is often paired with manual therapy to release surrounding tension.
• Strength and Flexibility Training: Exercises to build wrist and hand strength, such as grip squeezes and wrist curls, improve functional ability. Stretching of the wrist flexors and extensors helps to relieve tension around the carpal tunnel.
• Ergonomic Adjustments: Education on optimal hand positioning and wrist support at workstations to reduce strain on the carpal tunnel. Kinesiologists may recommend ergonomic tools like wrist rests or specially designed keyboards.
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